Continuous-rail switch.



J. S. JACKSON.

CONTINUOUS RAIL SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 13, 1912.

1,055,465, Patented Mar. 11, 1913.

abhor/nu poLuMBlA PLA-NOGRAPH c0., WASHINGTON, b. a:

UNITED STATES PATENT orrrcnf JOHN S. JACKSON, 01? CLINTON, ILLINOIS,ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO HENRY JACKSON, OF CLINTON, ILLINOIS.

CONTINUOUS-RAIL SWITCH.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN S.

Clinton, in the county of Dewitt and State of Illinois, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Continuous-Rail Switches, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain improvements in and relating tocontinuous-rail railway switches; and the objects and nature of theinvention will be readily understood by those skilled in the art in thelight of the following explanation of the accompanying drawingsillustrating what I now believe to be the preferred embodiment fromamong other formations and arrangements within the spirit and scope ofthe invention.

The invention consists in certain novel features in construction and incombinations and arrangements as more fully and particularly set forthhereinafter.

Referring to the accompanying drawingsFigure 1, is a top plan showingthe switch set with the main track continuous. Fig. 2, is a plan showingthe switch thrown to connect the siding and main track. Fig. 3, is across sectional view on the line 3'3, Fig. 1.

In the drawings, I show a break in the main track with the main trackrails 1, separated a suitable distance to receive the interposed switchmechanism comprising track sections to bridge said break. The rails 2,of the branch or side track also terminate at this break and the switchmechanism is also provided with track sections to bridge the breakbetween said branch track rails and the main track rails at one end ofsaid break. The switch mechanism comprises a pair of similar rigidlyconnected parallel frogs 3, each throughout the length of its top facehaving a straight main track rail or section 30, and an inclined orangularly arranged branch track rail or section 31. The track section30, is spaced laterally a distance from the track section 31, and saidtrack sections are elevated above the intervening solid body 3, of thefrog. The track section 30. is arranged along one longitudinal edge ofthe frog while the track section 31, is arranged along the 0ppositelongitudinal edge of the frog. The track section 30, of one frog isarranged Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed March 13, 1912.

Patented-Mar. 11, 1913.

Serial No. 683,586.

a j ,alongthe outer longitudinal side thereof, JACKSON, 21: citizen ofthe United States, residing at while said section 30, ofthe other frogis arranged along the inner longitudinal side thereof, and hence theswitch is always pro-v vided with a guard rail whether the car wheelsare passing over track sections 30, thereof or over the track sections81. When the car wheels are passing along track sections 30, the innertrack section 31, acts as a guard rail, and when the wheels are passingover track sections 31, the inner track section 30 acts as a guard rail.

The two frogs are rigidly secured together by bottom transverse or crossbars 4, bolted or otherwise secured thereto, and also by the centraltransverse cross bar 5, fixed thereto and at one end providing means forthe attachment of the switch actuating connections 50, from any suitableswitch throwing and locking stand not shown.

The base for the switch can be formed by a pair of wide ties or sleepers6, and one or more intermediate ties 60, usually secured together bycross pieces 61. The two rigidly connected parallel spaced frogs areslidable on said base transversely of the track to and from positionswherein the track sections 30, register with the main track rails toestablish continuity of the main track, and wherein the track sections31, register with the main track rails at one end and the branch trackrails at the other end to establish continuity between the branch andmain track, as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

Suitable means are provided to guide the switch in its movements and tomaintain the same down in proper position on its base and to limit themovement thereof. For instance,I show fixed transversely arranged guidebars 7, extending through transverse slots 70, in the opposite endportions of the frogs. These guide bars are rigidly secured at theirextended ends 71, to the switch base and near their ends are bent downto form stop shoulders 72, to engage the switch and limit movementthereof in either direction.

This switch avoids the use of dangerous switch points and provides clearrail sections continuous with the track rails and thereby overcomes thedanger of train derailment at switches.

The switch leaves no spaces or openings that can become so clogged byice, snow or other obstructions as to prevent operation of the switch.

The switch is safe, efiicient and durable. W hen thrown to one positionthe other track sections thereof are entirely out of alinement andoperative position.

It is evident that various changes, 1nodifi cations and variations mightbe resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention and hence I do not wish to limit myself to the exactdisclosure hereof.

What I claim is A continuous rail switch comprising a pair of frogssecured together to bodily 15 slide transversely and having branch andmain track sect-ions and transverse slots opening through their ends, abase for saio frogs, and guide bars fixed on said base and formedintegral with stops limiting the sliding movement of said frogs.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN S. JACKSON.

\Vitnesses LENA DILLARAN, L. E. STONE.

Gopies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. C.

